Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-02


iheless, the day after he bad spoken TO
Gabrielle in the Grande Place, he did,
alter due deliberation. knock at her
uncle's door and ask il he could see
Monsieur lie Commandant on private
business of importance.
Tie orderly looked surprised. lie
was quiet used to open the door to the
English Professor, and to tell the
yourg ladies subsequently, that they
were wanted in the "salle d'etude "
but TO announce him, on by-day too,
as a visitor with important business to
Monsieur lie Commandant was quite
another matter. When he returned to
the kitchen Jean specialized with
Marie as to what such visit might
mean; and Marie took that occasion to
tell Jean how Monsieur Shastaire had
spoken to Mademoiselle and offered
her roses the day before.
"Nla fol /" cried Jean. Roses, in
deed 1t is for Monsieur Adolphe to
provide roses, should say"
"She refused them, said Marie with
dignity
In the mean time Joel, his heart beat
ing in double-quick time, was pacing
the drawing room and rehearsing his
opening sentences while he awaited the
appearance of Gabrielle's guardian.
The Commandant finished his cigarette
in the courtyard, and then changed his
dressing gown for bis undress coat.
The idea of important business with
the English Professor did not stimulate
his curiosity or hurry his movements.
"YOu have known me for some time,
Monsieur Amboise," Joel began as soon
as the formal bowling and greeting were
over. 81 need not, believe, offer
you any further proofs than you have
under your eyes that | am man Of re-
spectacle birth and education"
The Commandant bowed not seeing
what this beginning might lead to, he
maintained discreet silence.
"Of course / am not at all rich
man" continued Joel; "indeed, if you
know the amount of my salary at the
college you know that 1 am rather a
poor man"
His listener bowed again, and felt
still more in the dark.
81 have mentioned my circum-
stances at once, Monsieur" proceeded
Joel, braclng himself for the great pull,
"because l do not want to mislead you
or to misrepresent my position in any
way. OF course, to most people 1t
would sound very rash after what l
have Just said, if l go on to say
that / wish to enter into an engage
ment-I mean an engagement to be
married"
Monsieur Amboise opened his eyes
as wide as he could, pursed up his lips,
and shook his head slowly.
"If you have done me the honor Of
coming to me for my advice" he said
decidedly, cit will soon be given. I'm
less the lady has a fortune to supply
your deficit you had better put such a
project out of your head.
"Well," replied Joel ruefully,
Though your opinion is SO decided
and though everything depends on your
opinion, cannot take it at once. The
lady hasn't penny, but she is used to
being poor she doesn't mind poverty
Mt all"
at is easy for woman not to mind
poverty" returned the other, dryly,
''as long as poverty doesn't make 1t
self felt very forcibly. She would
mind it fast enough when the time
comes in which she has to look siN
times at every sou before she ventures
TO decide whether it shall go TO the
butcher, the milkman, the baker, o.
the clothier, and when she begins to be
dunned for debts which she could no
help mourning"
but" argued Joel, elf a woman
has been trained in poverty it mus
make a difference.
at can make 10 difference to facts
my good sir. Food and clothing ar
facts, so is houseroom, and they al
mean an income if they are to be en-
loved. As to womans training, why
il she has been trained in scarcity sh
knows what it is, and will certainly tr.
10 marry to better herself that is,
she has any sense. / could give you
case in point. And, as to yourself
if you are poor, you haye-withou
hattery- certain personal advantages
, by which you might easily win wifi
and a fortune.
"Ihat is really neither here no
there" said Joel. "Of course | shOul'
not have presumed to come TO talk TIL
, matter over with you if you had no
had some special connection with it.
have scarcely any hope of favorabl
, answer after what You have said
nevertheless, here Joel's heart beat 81
, that he could hear it. 81 had hopeC
that you would sanction my engage
ment to your niece"
"Ifear, Monsieur" replied the Com
, mandant, "that your misgiyings ar
! well founded. Under no circumstance
{ could l have approved of such an i'm
provident arrangement. But there is
further and even more substantial bar
rier, OF which, should think, you ca
, scarcely be ignorant. My niece
, already engaged to be married in Octo
Der to my old friend, Monsieur Adolph
, LacambTe.
To say that Joel was stunned by thi
announcement is to say very little. IL
had come TO Monsieur AmbOise full
resolved on making a desperate effor
TO put an end to an ambiguous position
He had reckoned that, even II he
uncle refused his suit, the open &C
knowledeement that her word had bee
, pliphted TO him would set her apart il
: some degree for him. He thought
possible he might call down the ange
Of the AmbOises by telling the secret O
! their engagement, but he had never 70
I q moment imagined that he should b
J met by the news that their engagement
2 existed no longer-that it was cancelle'
, by one more definite and more advaI
7 tageous.
He rose from his seat and took ste
= forward.
! 1t is impossible, Monsieur" h
, gasped, sit is impossible that she ca
| have given her consent she has bee
) coerced into saying she will marry"
{ "Nothing Of the kind, Monsieu
| Chester. 1t grieves me to see you s
deeply panied, but naturally cannc
listen to any such comments on famil
: matters which do not concern an out
e slider"
. Joel's throat was dry, his tongue feI
4 too large for his mouth, his head swan
r and he was not sure whether the grea
/ tears which persisted in blurring h
| sight were not finding their way dow
I his cheeks.
Scan see Mademoiselle for me-
} ment ?" he asked. 81 must say on